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NEWS | Jan. 22, 2020

Top Admiral in Europe Visits Sailors at Strategic Base in Rota

By Commander, Naval Forces Europe-Africa Public Affairs

Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (CNE-CNA), Adm. James G. Foggo III visited Sailors and civilians stationed at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Rota, Spain Jan. 22, 2020, to highlight the important role they play in today’s dynamic security environment.

During his visit, Foggo met with leadership from the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78), the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), and the Virginia-class nuclear powered fast attack submarine, USS Washington (SSN 787). He also conducted an all hands call with Sailors from commands across the waterfront, addressing topics such as current operations, leadership priorities, and future goals for the region. 

 “I want to talk about our mission – It’s a dynamic time and we must continue to be ready to respond at a moment’s notice,” said Foggo. “Every member of the command is important – especially right now. You are the strength of our Navy, the strength of our Nation.”

NSA Rota is a strategic location from which, U.S. Navy assets can support the North Atlantic, Baltic and Mediterranean Seas, Northern Africa, and the Middle East.

“It’s a challenging time with Great Power Competition, but I think it’s a great time to be here in Rota, supporting European and African theaters as part of the [forward deployed naval forces],” said Foggo. “We’re on the front lines of Great Power Competition, which is taking place every day across the two continents and combatant commands that we’re responsible for.”

NSA Rota hosts the Navy’s four forward-deployed naval forces destroyers in Europe, which deploy across throughout European waterways to help provide for the collective defense and an umbrella of protection over Europe from ballistic missiles. The four destroyers are part of NATO’s integrated air and missile defense capability.

Along with the forward deployed ships, CTF 68, Naval Expeditionary Combat Forces Europe-Africa, participates in naval exercises across Europe and Africa, demonstrating U.S. commitment and partnership throughout the region. CNE-CNA forces out of Rota have participated in several exercises foundational to regional security in the past year, such as BALTOPS in the Baltic Sea, Sea Breeze in the Black Sea, and Obangame Express in the Gulf of Guinea.

During his talks with Sailors, Foggo stressed the importance of conducting training events and maintaining maritime presence to continue to grow our relationships with allies and key partners in the region.

“We will continue to train with our allies and partners to maintain deterrence and to stay ahead of tomorrow’s threats,” Foggo said.

Foggo also expressed his gratitude to Sailors for a job well done in the past year and encouraged them to uphold their superb performance, emphasizing continued teamwork to support the vital mission of the FDNF-Europe force.  

“We’re recruiting the highest caliber of people from a diversity of backgrounds, each one bringing unique life experiences, perspectives and talents,” Foggo stated. “This is how we’ll remain competitive and be ready to deter or defeat any adversary. But in order to complete our missions successfully, we must take care of ourselves – and each other.”

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

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